NORMAL-MODE SPECTRUM OF THE DEUTERON IN THE SKYRME MODEL

The normal mode spectrum of the deuteron in the Skyrme model is comput ed. We find a bound doublet mode below the pion mass, which can be rel ated to the well-known 90 degrees scattering of two skyrmions. We also find a singlet 'breather' mode and another doublet above the pion mas s. The qualitative pattern of the spectrum is similar to that recently found for the B = 4 multiskyrmion. The symmetries of all the vibratio nal modes are presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.